There has been some controversy over the past few years regarding the sooting of paraffin wax candles verses candles made of palm and soy and other vegetable or renewable waxes.
Many candle makers and users of vegetable based waxes claim their candles emit less soot than their paraffin counterparts.
While the petroleum based wax candle makers protest that it is due to improper wick trimming and inferior products that cause sooting from candles, not the use of paraffin or petroleum based waxes.
I have seen the damage that soot can cause in a home where candles are burnt on a regular basis.
It clings to the walls like a veil.
Most of the time you don't even notice it until you decide to move a picture and there it is, a square spot the size of the picture you just removed, reminding you of the color your walls are actually suppose to be.
Or maybe you've bought one of those expensive candles with the shades they sell at candle parties and noticed the black film on the glass shade after burning your candle a few times.
Was it because you forgot to trim the wick before you lit the candle? It could have been.
Unless you are diligent about keeping the wick on your paraffin candle trimmed between an eighth and a quarter of an inch, you are bound to have soot.
It is a real problem and many interior designers will tell their clients not to burn candles because of the soot they emit.
I have been making candles for several years.
About ten years ago, I began making candles from soy and palm wax to see if there was any truth to the claims of soy and palm wax burning cleaner than paraffin.
I have spent many, many hours making and test burning candles to find out.
Here are a few of the things that I discovered.
All waxes, whether petroleum based, vegetable based or from bees have their advantages and their disadvantages.
You can make any wax soot if you work at it.
By that I mean, even the best waxes, beeswax for example will soot if it has the wrong wick and wicks are a big factor.
Candles with multiple wicks will soot more than single wicked candles.
Candles that have wicks that are too large or too long will generally soot.
Wicks used when not intended for specific waxes can soot and drafts blowing on a wick can cause a candle to soot.
There are a whole host of things that can actually cause a candle to soot, dye, scent, wicks, wax, drafts and more.
If you are a candle maker, you can keep your candle soot to minimum buy using high quality products.
If you are a consumer than you'll have to go through a few lemons first and remember just because it costs more than other candles does not guarantee it is a clean burning candle.
Some candles with designer names don't burn any cleaner than the ones at your local mega mart.
Sometimes you are only paying for the name.
The only real test is to try them.
Which do I prefer? The palm wax candles I make myself of course.
I like palm wax candles for several reasons.
First I like the pattern that palm wax throws.
Palm wax is a very hard wax and because it is, the candles don't get soft and gummy.
When properly scented, palm wax candles have a superior fragrance.
The palm wax I use cleans up with soap and water.
If you happen to spill some wax clean up is a breeze.
You just can't get that with paraffin.
And last but not least, I have been able to create a candle that is virtually soot less even when you forget to trim the wick.
Everyone will have his or her wax of choice.
Mine just happens to be palm wax.
If you've never tried palm wax candles, they are a treat if you find one of good quality.
If you think you might like to try your hand at making palm wax candles yourself, be advised that palm wax is one of the more challenging waxes to work with.
And if you want to make a superior candle, start with superior ingredients.
Many candle makers and users of vegetable based waxes claim their candles emit less soot than their paraffin counterparts.
While the petroleum based wax candle makers protest that it is due to improper wick trimming and inferior products that cause sooting from candles, not the use of paraffin or petroleum based waxes.
I have seen the damage that soot can cause in a home where candles are burnt on a regular basis.
It clings to the walls like a veil.
Most of the time you don't even notice it until you decide to move a picture and there it is, a square spot the size of the picture you just removed, reminding you of the color your walls are actually suppose to be.
Or maybe you've bought one of those expensive candles with the shades they sell at candle parties and noticed the black film on the glass shade after burning your candle a few times.
Was it because you forgot to trim the wick before you lit the candle? It could have been.
Unless you are diligent about keeping the wick on your paraffin candle trimmed between an eighth and a quarter of an inch, you are bound to have soot.
It is a real problem and many interior designers will tell their clients not to burn candles because of the soot they emit.
I have been making candles for several years.
About ten years ago, I began making candles from soy and palm wax to see if there was any truth to the claims of soy and palm wax burning cleaner than paraffin.
I have spent many, many hours making and test burning candles to find out.
Here are a few of the things that I discovered.
All waxes, whether petroleum based, vegetable based or from bees have their advantages and their disadvantages.
You can make any wax soot if you work at it.
By that I mean, even the best waxes, beeswax for example will soot if it has the wrong wick and wicks are a big factor.
Candles with multiple wicks will soot more than single wicked candles.
Candles that have wicks that are too large or too long will generally soot.
Wicks used when not intended for specific waxes can soot and drafts blowing on a wick can cause a candle to soot.
There are a whole host of things that can actually cause a candle to soot, dye, scent, wicks, wax, drafts and more.
If you are a candle maker, you can keep your candle soot to minimum buy using high quality products.
If you are a consumer than you'll have to go through a few lemons first and remember just because it costs more than other candles does not guarantee it is a clean burning candle.
Some candles with designer names don't burn any cleaner than the ones at your local mega mart.
Sometimes you are only paying for the name.
The only real test is to try them.
Which do I prefer? The palm wax candles I make myself of course.
I like palm wax candles for several reasons.
First I like the pattern that palm wax throws.
Palm wax is a very hard wax and because it is, the candles don't get soft and gummy.
When properly scented, palm wax candles have a superior fragrance.
The palm wax I use cleans up with soap and water.
If you happen to spill some wax clean up is a breeze.
You just can't get that with paraffin.
And last but not least, I have been able to create a candle that is virtually soot less even when you forget to trim the wick.
Everyone will have his or her wax of choice.
Mine just happens to be palm wax.
If you've never tried palm wax candles, they are a treat if you find one of good quality.
If you think you might like to try your hand at making palm wax candles yourself, be advised that palm wax is one of the more challenging waxes to work with.
And if you want to make a superior candle, start with superior ingredients.
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